Restaurant Violations In DC, Arlington, Montgomery County

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WUSA) - From DuPont Circle, into Bethesda, Arlington and beyond since September 21st health inspectors have shut down restaurants for mice, roaches, rats and other violations.

Sunshine Bar and Grill at 7331 Georgia Ave. NW is better known for its unusual combination of Ethiopian and Tex-Mex than health violations.

Despite its closure for roaches, a worker invited us in saying they "cleaned" and there were no roaches anymore, "nothing."

With cameras rolling, we immediately spotted what looked like a roach in the middle of the kitchen floor.

The woman covered it with her shoe and asked us to leave before we could see more.

Inspectors also cited Sunshine for unclean counters, mold in the ice machine and no food safety manager to prevent the hazards.

Officials closed Café Japone sushi and karaoke bar, 2032 P St. NW, citing sushi not being refrigerated at a safe temperature, roaches, and no food safety manager to supervise operations.

Octopus, shrimp and tuna were recorded at temperatures above 50 degrees.

Inspectors closed Mandarin Carryout, 129 15th St. SE, for vermin.

Our camera recorded dirt on the floor and a witness who described rats around the Chinese restaurant as long as a 12 inches.

At 1235 New York, inspectors declared an imminent health hazard at McDonald's when they walked in finding burgers and chicken at risky temperatures, and no hot water for workers to wash their hands.

A McDonalds official said existing procedures to checking holding temperatures are being reinforced.

"I take all matters regarding the safety and cleanliness at my restaurants very seriously," McDonalds franchise owner Carlos Mateos said in a statement. "I expect all of my restaurants to be in full compliance."

At the Barracks Row Popeye's, 409 8th St. SE , it was mice, no certified food safety manager, and chicken stored at potentially sickening temperatures inspectors cited in the closure order.

In Arlington at Big Papa Pizza on Lee Highway, they allowed our cameras into the kitchen after their closure.

The establishment appeared in order, but besides insects, inspectors had cited multiple violations over three inspections at Big Papa this year including repeatedly operating without a food safety manager.

In Bethesda, officials issued a closure at Moby Dick's, 7027 Wisconsin Ave., for operating with no hot water and flies in the kitchen.

In Silver Spring, inspectors say they caught Flipping Pizza making pizza while there was no hot water to clean hands.

They also cited dusty facilities at the Colesville Road pizza joint and shut it down.

At Kenny's Subs, 288 North Frederick in Gaithersburg, inspectors reported workers making egg rolls and chicken wings with no hot water.